Princess Lockerooo

Born and raised in New York City, Samara Cohen-O’Neal, professionally known as Princess Lockerooo (she/her), is a multi-faceted artist, educator, producer, and cultural leader whose work has reshaped the world’s understanding of Waacking.

Raised by a single mother, Samara was a vocal major at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, with early dance training at the 92nd Street Y. Her journey into dance didn’t begin until age 19, when she began taking classes at Broadway Dance Center and discovered the electrifying world of New York City’s nightlife and underground street dance scene. It was inside the city’s drag bars and nightclubs where Princess Lockerooo discovered that clubs were more than a stage — they were a movement and living classroom of culture, freedom, and transformation. Through this world, she formed a deep bond with Bob the Drag Queen who became both friend and drag mother.

In 2022, she founded The Fabulous Waack Dancers, the first Waacking company in the U.S., with ongoing support from Works & Process at the Guggenheim. The company has performed at Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, The Apollo Theater, The WOW Festival (La Jolla Playhouse), and Jacob’s Pillow, creating groundbreaking shows that blend history, storytelling, and high-impact movement.

She also founded the Waack Dancer Training Program (WDTP)—a groundbreaking educational initiative designed to teach Waacking through technique, history, club culture, and self-expression. Through WDTP, she also collaborates with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, where her students perform biannually as part of an ongoing partnership.

Princess Lockerooo has performed and taught in over 30 countries and has appeared on major platforms including "Dancing with the Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance," and "America’s Got Talent." She’s collaborated with artists such as Madonna, Jody Watley, Icona Pop, Pangina Heals, and Bob the Drag Queen. In 2023, she was honored with a Bessie Award for Breakout Choreographer and is recognized globally as a visionary and cultural ambassador.

Her work has been featured in "The New York Times," "Dance Magazine," "Brut," "Document Journal," "The Medium," and more. She has produced events that raised funds for organizations such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and collaborated with institutions including the United Nations, NYC Pride, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, and The Center.